Lizzie Bean is a speaker, coach, educator, founder of Beanology and the creator and performer of Phuckets and Rainbows. Lizzie makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with a heartfelt, hilarious show about masking, motherhood, midlife, mental health, body image and the McFuckery that comes with being human in a world that rarely says, “You’re enough.” Finally learning that being exactly as you are is more than enough. One could even argue, remarkable! Expect laughter, tears, truth bombs, well-placed expletives… and at least one naked mole rat.
How did you get into comedy/writing/producing etc?
Well… two years ago, I gave up drinking! I was nervous to sit on the sofa every night imagining a cool glass of white wine whispering sweet nothings to my jaded nervous system.
Needed to find a distraction!
So, I hopped onto social media and the very first advert that appeared was for an improv comedy class in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
I thought, “Phucket!”, felt terrified, and went along that very night.
One of the bravest and best decisions I have ever made was stepping into that room.
Tell us about your comedy style.
I use comedy to talk about the McFuckery of being human.
Life gets complicated and heavy. We carry so much quietly. Comedy, for me, is a way to lighten the load.
It gives us permission to laugh at the wonderfully weird systems we’ve created and ask, “What are we doing to humankind?” “Who is making this stuff up that leaves so many of us feeling inadequate?” “Why are we listening?”
If we can laugh together, perhaps we can all feel a little less alone.
What is your show about?
Phuckets and Rainbows is an autobiographical show about my journey from the edge of yet another nervous breakdown to the liberation of Phucket ideology.
It’s about transitioning from one identity to the next in search of the “perfect me”; the version of myself that would finally be celebrated.
I didn’t find her lurking in a societal expectation!
I discovered instead, that it was self-acceptance that I needed. Found the courage to pick up the pen and start writing my own version of what it means to be Lizzie Bean. Not necessarily winning… but always feeling like she might.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Humans. Every single one of them.
Their stories, their voices, their comedy, their tears and their resilience.
This show is a love letter to the people I have had the pleasure of walking beside over the years. It turns out we’re all a lot more alike than we’d like to admit.
How does it feel to be going to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time?
I am beyond excited and beyond nervous!
I’ve always dreamed of being a storyteller and here I am, 49 years old, about to step into the colour, chaos and creativity that buzzes around the Fringe.
It may have taken me 49 years to find my way, but I am so proud that I have. I just have to make sure I don’t get lost once I get there!
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe this year?
I am really looking forward to seeing Bog Witch and Bryony Kimmings, alongside as many brilliant women as I can squeeze into my Fringe adventure.
I love the kaleidoscope of perspectives that the creative world brings to being human.
What’s next for you?
I’m not a great planner!
But I hope the future brings opportunities to share my show, its message and its empowerment with more humans.
For now, I’m simply looking forward to meeting the people who leap into my world at the Edinburgh Fringe. I can’t wait to share it, feel it and be immersed in it.
A contagion for good, for sure.
Keep up to date with Lizzie Bean and follow her on Instagram.
Tickets and information for Phuckets and Rainbows can be found here!
